What Is Jean Lafitte National Historic Park & Preserve?
Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve is a 6-unit park that includes the 23,000-acre Barataria Preserve and the Chalmette Battlefield!
What Makes It Beautiful?
I’m a sucker for Spanish moss, and here in the bayou, it is everywhere, gently swaying in the gulf breezes! This is a place of great textures, from the knobby cypress roots sticking out of the mirrorlike water to the sawlike leaves of the palmettos. There are overgrown canals disappearing into secret places that may never be glimpsed by people, hiding dangers from snakes and gators that a beaver can be glad not to glimpse! The Barataria Preserve is a calm place with both open spaces and secret hideouts that ebb and flow with the ever changing swamp levels!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Volunteer with Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve!
- Donate to eParks!
- Be a responsible visitor! Remember the old adages: Pack out what you pack in! Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints!
How Do I Get There?
The largest unit of this National Historical Park is the Barataria Preserve (distances listed), which is located at:
6588 Barataria Boulevard
Marrero, LA 70072
The second largest is the Chalmette Battlefield, which is located at:
8606 W St Bernard Hwy
Chalmette, LA 70043
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit the Park?
For wildlife and wildflowers, I suggest going during the spring. When I was there in December, it was pretty darn empty! The visitor center at the Barataria Preserve is open from Wednesday thorugh Sunday from 9:30 AM until 4:30 PM, and the center at Chalmette Battlefield is open seven days a week from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM! All units are closed during Mardi Gras!
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